JGRO Build- New to the Hobby

[Liquid-core]

Hello everyone. My name is O'Malley. First I wanted to thank everyone in the community for supplying so much information and taking the time to record and post their builds. I have been a lurker for a few weeks now trying to take in as much information as possible and wrap my head around all aspects of the project.

I am gearing up to begin building my table and have a few questions. I have a connection at a college that can laser cut pieces for me for free as long as I provide the CAD files by Tuesday. What parts would you suggest having cut if the option is available? I was thinking I might have the gantry sides sides cut as well as the motor and bearing side of the table. I really would like to build as much of this table as possible but I would like to take advantage of this opportunity.

Also, I have seen people extend their tables (to me this process seems fairly straightforward) but has anyone made it wider? If so, what problems have you/they run into? Eventually I would like to use this machine to build a larger CNC table.

Lastly, could anyone link to me to some information describing the electrical aspect of this project? I am curious to learn more about the motors, how they operate, and how a project goes from a design to a physical piece.

Thank you,
O'Malley

[blackbeard52]

O'Malley

All of us wished we had someone to cut our machines for free... So if you have the resource use it. Start with the gantry, motor mounts and bearing areas. And expand to all that you can get in. Depending on the size table they have a 4 x 8 sheet will yeild a lot of parts. After you have sent them to work on that... I suppose you are in a hurry for the build (most of us are) and have the budget, Buy a plug and play setup. There are many listed on the Zone and depending on the size table are really affordable. As opposed to hunting ebay and piecing the thing together and hoping you get a product that will run. even then someone here has done that and can help.

Bob

[Liquid-core]

Thank you for the input blackbeard. I sat down last night and reviewed the plans again. I've decided against having the parts laser cut as it is just too difficult to get the contact the supplies and files at the moment. Instead I think I will end up having a woodshop cut out the basic shapes as I don't have the proper tools to cut lines as straight as I would like for this project. From there I will then drill all of the holes and attach all of the hardware.

I would like to try to keep the cost on this project as low as possible and will probably end up purchasing one of the controller kits that you then build yourself. I have seen these mentioned but haven't done the research on them yet.

Finally, I put some more thought into extending the table and making it wider. For right now I am going to stay with the stock dimensions and then use the machine to cut the new parts further down the road. The machine can cut all of the parts to make the table wider and the parts to make the table longer are relatively simple so either I or a woodshop could cut those.

I will keep everyone updated as I make progress with the build and I'm sure I will be back soon with more questions. Thank again!

O'Malley

[blackbeard52]

O'Malley
I think you will do fine...the first one always leaves room for improvement. Mdf is cheap. just remember to buy for the future in the electronics. One purchase is certainly better than two. Good luck on your build and I will be looking forward to the posts..

Bob

[Liquid-core]

Update: I have made some more progress with the planning phases of the project in terms of going through, dissecting all of the pieces, and cataloging everything needed to complete the build (low on time at the moment due to upcoming AP tests). The parts list in the back of the JGRO diagrams doesn't fully cover every single piece, particularly with the table support and main support structures. I haven't typed it up yet but I will do that soon, hopefully this weekend, and will then begin to lay out the pieces to get cut.

Would it be helpful to anyone if I posted up a more detailed parts list containing only and all of the wood pieces? Let me know.

I'll keep everyone posted.

O'Malley

[jimmycakes]

Originally Posted by Liquid-core Hello everyone. My name is O'Malley. First I wanted to thank everyone in the community for supplying so much information and taking the time to record and post their builds. I have been a lurker for a few weeks now trying to take in as much information as possible and wrap my head around all aspects of the project.

I'm in the same situation as you. I have friends with a 4'x8' router table that would be happy to cut all the parts to my machine. I need to find the files though. I think I found the proper files for the JGRO. Would I just need to send them the folder of DXF files? Are those the appropriate parts to build the machine? I also downloaded the specs PDF. Good luck with your's. I'll let you know how mine moves along as soon as I get the right files to my friends.

I also plan on making mine from MDO or MDF to start. From what I understand, they now offer a outdoor durable MDO. Any suggestions on any other materials that won't break the bank for a starter machine? I plan on making more tables after I learn on this one. Thanks again.

[cjtenny]

I'm in the same boat. My last AP is tomorrow.

After that, I'm going to decide whether or not I'm going to go through with it... if so, buy some MDF and laser cut all the parts except for the biggest ones, which I'll make at one of the machine shops I go to. I've already got access to some steppers (9V/225ozin/1.53A) if I do go through with it, but they've got 3-point mounting that'll be a pain. I'm trying to figure out what I need at this point... could you post what you've got laid out if you did it on the computer? that'd really help me.

Also, I'm debating the usefulness of ACME screws instead. They're so much more expensive... even if the screws are $9 from enco, the nuts & copulers and whatnot will really add up. So, I think I might go with threaded rod (maybe 3/8-16 though) and then maybe upgrade later, if it's not that hard. Or just build a joe's with ACME.

http://www.efunda.com/designstandard...s/tapdrill.cfm
This site's helpful, btw, for pretty much anything, but you can only view it so many times a day / week / whatever, so it's a good idea to print it off.

My motivation for the project is to make things from foam, because my dad and I might get into metal casting and lost foam casting is quite cool... would allow me to make precisionish parts for FIRST / things like http://web.mit.edu/cjtenny/www/wsciolybot.jpg (waterjet cut and hot glued together... I have access to good tools away from home, but at home I have nothing. another reason I want this. but anyway that project / waterjetting was a pain. metal casting, or MDF milling, would be much easier.)

Sorry to post so much, perhaps I should've started a new thread...

-----------------------------------------
http://web.mit.edu/first/segway :-D

[Liquid-core]

@ jimmy: I am completely new to this whole thing and don't fully understand the process of going from a model to a finished piece. I haven't looked through the DXF files yet as I abandoned that route before I went anywhere with it. I'm afraid I can't help you. To top it off I really don't know anything about wood. Haven't been able to stop by the lumber yard and look over pricing yet.

@ cjtenny: Feel free to post. At the moment I have a list I used to organize the pieces for each component (complete breakdown) and thats about it. Is that what you are looking for?

O'Malley